# Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World

Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World is an 85 acres (34 ha) amusement park in Grand Island, New York near Niagara Falls, New York. It features a theme park, water park, and is adjacent to a KOA campground. The park is owned by Store Capital and operated by IB Parks & Entertainment.

## History
### Fantasy Island, Inc. (1961–1981)

Fantasy Island was founded by real estate developer Lawrence Grant, and was opened on July 1, 1961. It was planned by co-financier and local jeweler Gerald Birzon with buildings designed by Milton Milstein & Associates. The ownership group was formed under the name Fantasy Land, Inc. before changing soon after to Fantasy Island, Inc. The group had originally planned to call the park Fantasy Land, but changed the name for legal reasons after finding out there was already an area of Disneyland called Fantasyland.
Upon opening, the park occupied only 12 acres (0.049 km$^2$) of land that was divided into five themed areas: Action Town, Animal Kingdom, Garden of Fables, Indian Village and Western Town. Action Town featured amusement rides, Animal Kingdom featured a petting zoo, Garden of Fables featured explorable recreations of fairy tale scenes, Indian Village featured Native American dancers, and Western Town featured a live Wild West show.
To promote the park, WGR-TV aired a live weekly television program on Saturday mornings from 1961 to 1962 titled Fantasy Island Show featuring the park's characters and puppeteers performing for an all-children studio audience. The show's host and protagonist was Buckskin Joe, portrayed by park general manager Clyde "Buddy" Farnan.
A 2,500-seat outdoor arena was constructed in 1965 for French lion tamer Jean "Tarzan" Zerbini's circus. Actor Jim Carrey grew up in nearby Ontario and would vacation at Fantasy Island, citing Zerbini's show as a fond memory.
The park was expanded to 85 acres (0.34 km$^2$) in 1974 to make room for adult rides and broaden the park's appeal.
Citing the 1979 oil crisis and rising cost of gasoline, the park reported a 62% drop in profits during the 1979 season. The park was put up for sale that same year.
After dwindling attendance stemming from Western New York's rust belt economic decline, Fantasy Island, Inc. declared bankruptcy and the park did not operate for the 1982 season.

### Charles R. Wood Enterprises (1982–1989)

The park was acquired out of bankruptcy in November 1982 by Charles R. Wood Enterprises, headed by Charles Wood, founder of Great Escape in Queensbury, New York.
A new themed area called Water World, a water park, was added to the site in 1984. Wood also installed an 800-seat picnic pavilion that was previously used at the 1982 World's Fair.
Arto Monaco was commissioned to redesign Garden of Fables, constructing a castle with moat that was encircled by a horse-drawn carriage he had previously built for Land of Makebelieve.

### International Broadcasting Corporation (1989–1992)

Wood sold the park along with Great Escape to International Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) in April 1989 for $36 million. As part of the deal, Wood would stay on as chief executive officer of the park and his son-in-law, Tom Wages, was retained as general manager.
Following the closure of nearby Crystal Beach Park after the 1989 season, that park's famed Comet roller coaster was purchased by Charles Wood at auction in October 1989 for $210,000, disassembled and stored indefinitely at Fantasy Island.
In June 1990, Michael Murach was paralyzed from the head down while performing a high diving act at the park when he slipped on a 3-meter diving board during a comedy act and fell 20-feet, hitting his head on the edge of the concrete pool. Murach was years later awarded damages of $58.6 million after a jury found International Broadcasting Corporation 100% liable for his injury. The end of the diving board was not installed at a proper distance away from the edge of the pool to prevent such an incident from occurring.
In August 1991, 14-year-old Kenneth Margerum fell 60 feet (18 m) to his death from the park's Ferris wheel after his seat dropped from its axle. It was revealed that the park operators routinely removed one or two seats from the ride each day to prevent the ride from moving around in high winds during off-hours. Each time the ride opened, the seats were bolted back onto the frame of the ride. Investigators found that only one side of the victim's seat had been bolted properly, causing Margerum's seat to drop from its axle and subsequently leading to his death.
Attendance began to dwindle as parents became concerned over the park's safety following Margerum's death.

### Charles R. Wood Enterprises (1992–1994)

Charles Wood reacquired the park along with Great Escape in October 1992 for $14 million when International Broadcasting Corporation went bankrupt. In his second stint of ownership, Wood changed the park's name to Two Flags Over Niagara Fun Park.

### Martin's Shows (1994–2016)

Martin DiPietro, owner of Martin's Shows, purchased the park and renamed it Martin's Fantasy Island in January 1994. Charles Wood took the original Comet roller coaster and reassembled it at his Great Escape park later that year. DiPietro would install his own roller coaster named the Silver Comet in 1999 that was inspired by the original.

### Store Capital (2016–2021)
#### Apex Parks Group

Martin DiPietro sold the park's land to Store Capital in May 2016, and Apex Parks Group began leasing the property from Store that same month. The park returned to its original name of Fantasy Island.
Reports surfaced in 2018 and 2019 that the general condition of the park had deteriorated, with many attractions not operational due to either mechanical failure or under-staffing.
On February 19, 2020, following reports that Apex Parks Group had put the park's rides up for sale, the company confirmed that the park had permanently closed. A settlement was reached with the Attorney General's office to refund customers that had purchased 2020 season passes.

#### IB Parks & Entertainment (2021–present)

Gene Staples, owner of IB Parks & Entertainment, entered a long-term agreement to lease the property from Store Capital in May 2021. Staples also owns and operates Clementon Lake Park and Indiana Beach. The park was renamed Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World and reopened in August 2021. The 2021 season only featured the splash park, with rides being re-added to the park in time for the 2022 season.

## Rides and attractions
### Roller Coasters

| Name | Picture | Opened | Manufacturer | Notes |
| The Serpent | | 2024 | S.D.C | A Galaxi coaster that previously ran at; Noble Park Funland in Paducah, Kentucky, during 1987 and 1988; LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park in Monroe, Ohio, from 1989 to 2002; and Kokomo's Family Fun Center in Saginaw, Michigan, from April 2009 to 2019. Serpent was dismantled in early 2022 and first set up at Niagara later that year. |
| Silver Comet | | 1999 | Custom Coasters International | A wooden roller coaster modeled after The Comet. |

### Flat rides

| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Model | Notes |
| Amazing Flying Machine | 2022 | Majestic Manufacturing | Flying Scooters | Previously travelled with Wade Shows. Replaced the Mind Warp before being relocated to the former Flight site for the 2024 season. |
| Antique Autos | 1961 | Arrow Huss / Gould Manufacturing | | Formerly known as Antique Cars and Crankshaft Cruisers. |
| Auto Carousel | 1963 | Hennecke | | |
| Circus | 2008 | Sartori Rides | | |
| Drop Zone | 2015 | SBF Visa Group | Drop'n Twist | A 6-metre (20 ft) tall children's drop tower that replaced Jack and the Beanstalk. Formerly known as Rapunzel! Rapunzel! |
| Grande Carousel | 1961 | Theel | Carousel | |
| Giant Wheel | 1994 | Chance Rides | Ferris wheel | Replaced the Astro Wheel and was formerly known as Gondola Wheel. |
| Gunslinger | 2022 | Eli Bridge Company | Scrambler | Previously known as the Baltidora at La Feria de Chapultepec. |
| Hot Rod Crusin | 1961 | Allan Herschell Company | Miniature car ride. | |
| Iron Horse Train | 1961 | Allan Herschell Company | Iron Horse miniature train | Uses an acquired train from Beaver Island State Park for its spare engine and cars. |
| Niagara Helicopter Tours | 1961 | Allan Herschell Company | | Helicopter ride converted. |
| Pony Carts | 2024 | Allan Herschell Company | Horse and buggy | |
| Scooter | 2023 | Majestic Manufacturing | Bumper cars | Previously travelled with Bates Brothers Amusement Company. |
| Ships Ahoy | 1961 | Allan Herschell Company | | |
| Steel Colt | 1983 | Zamperla | Train ride | |
| Sea Dragon | 2024 | Chance Rides | Pirate ship | Formerly ran at Santa's Village AZoosment Park from 2011 to 2022 before arriving at the park in 2023. |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | 2024 | Sellner Manufacturing | | Replacing the park's previous Tilt-A-Whirl that operated from 1992 to 2019. Tilt-A-Whirl was acquired from the former Joyland Amusement Park in Lubbock, Texas. |

### Unopened Attractions

Niagara Amusement Park owns a large arsenal of attractions that are in varying states of construction or storage. Listed below are rides that have not been opened to the public since the park reopened. Opening years for previously operational attractions are listed below, and the reopening timeline for all are either vague or unclear.
| Name | Opened | Status | Manufacturer | Notes |
| Black Buccaneer | TBD | In Storage | Unknown | A Pirate ship that arrived in 2021, having previously run at Chessington World of Adventures from 1988 to 2018. The ride has been deemed to be in critical condition and therefore will never be assembled. |
| Shuttle Loop | TBD | In Storage | Anton Schwarzkopf | The Shuttle Loop coaster originated in 1980 as the Laser Loop at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, but was removed in 1990 to make way for the Steel Phantom. It was promptly sold to Mexico City's La Feria de Chapultepec, where it operated as Cascabel from 1994 until a tragic accident on the park's Quimera coaster and ensuing safety inspections resulted in their closure. Cascabel was later dismantled and sold online through the used rides market, for a starting price of US$490,000. In April 2021, prior to the purchase of Fantasy Island by IB Parks & Entertainment, the Cascabel train and parts was spotted at Indiana Beach. After some debate about whether it would be set up at the park, the coaster eventually materialized at Niagara Amusement Park in February 2022. |
| Caterpillar | TBD | Under construction | Mack Rides | A caterpillar that previously operated at Pavilion Nostalgia Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. |
| Dillen | TBD | In Storage | HUSS Rides | An airboat that ran at BonBon-Land from 1999 to 2013. |
| Flying Falcon | TBD | In Storage | HUSS Rides | A Condor that formerly ran at Hersheypark from 1990 to 2016. |
| Flying Witch | TBD | Under construction | Pinfari | A dark ride that formerly operated at Rye Playland from 1971 to 2021, replacing Fantasy Island's Rock & Roll. |
| Mardi Gras Hangover | TBD | In Storage | Larson International | A Fire Ball ride that operated at Six Flags Great America from 2018 to 2023. The attraction was delivered to Niagara in February 2024. |
| Magic Ring | 1961 | In Storage | Zamperla | |
| Midway Mayhem | TBD | Under construction | HUSS Rides | A Frisbee ride that operated at Six Flags Great Adventure as Pendulum from 1999 to 2003 and Six Flags Great America from 2004 to 2023 as Revolution. The attraction was delivered to Niagara in February 2024 and in May set up on the site that previously held Amazing Flying Machine, Mind Warp, and Sizzler. |
| Miner Mike Family Coaster | TBD | In Storage | Wisdom Rides | A Miner Mike coaster that previously operated at Knucklehead's Bowling & Family Entertainment in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin from 2007 to 2023. The coaster was set up in 2023 on a flat concrete pad (previously hosting Max's Doggy Dog Coaster), but ultimately wasn't completed due to the attraction originally straddling a pit as opposed to flat ground. It has since been dismantled. |
| Wave Pool | 1995 | Abandoned | | A derelict Wave pool that replaced Kid Wash. |
| Unknown | TBD | In Storage | Chance Rides | Trabant |
| Unknown | TBD | In Storage | HUSS Rides | Top Spin |

### Water attractions/rides

| Name | Opened | Closed | Manufacturer | Model | Notes |
| Cannon Bowl | 2006 | Operating | ProSlide Technology | CannonBOWL | |
| Dinosaur Pool | 1980s | Operating | | Kiddie pool | |
| Double Dare Falls | 1984 | Operating | Technetic Industries | Water slide | Formerly Raging Rapids. |
| Dragster Drench | 2012 | Operating | ProSlide Technology | RACER | |
| Splash Creek | 1990 | Operating | | Lazy river | |
| Surf Hill | 1987 | Operating | ProSlide Technology | Children's water slide | |

## Former rides and attractions
### Former roller coasters

| Name | Opened | Closed | Manufacturer | Model | Notes |
| Crazy Mouse | 2005 | 2019 | Zamperla | Steel Crazy Mouse Twister coaster | Replaced Wildcat. |
| Dragon Wagon | 1994 | 2019 | Wisdom Rides | Steel family powered roller coaster | Replaced Balloon Race. Sold to Beuce Carnival in Canada. |
| Dragon's Flight | 2019 | 2019 | Wisdom Rides | Steel family powered roller coaster | |
| Dodg’em | 1989 | 2019 | Majestic | TM1400 Euro Scooter Bumper cars, acquired from Martin's Shows. | |
| Little Dipper | 1961 | 1995 | Allan Herschell Company | Steel kiddie roller coaster | |
| Max's Doggy Dog Coaster | 2013 | 2019 | SBF Visa Group | Steel kiddie roller coaster | |
| Orient Express | 1998 | 2004 | Wisdom Rides | Steel kiddie roller coaster | Replaced Dragon Wagon. Sold to Beuce Carnival in Canada. |
| Wildcat | 1972 | 2005 | Schwarzkopf | Steel thrill roller coaster | |

### Former water attractions/rides

| Name | Opened | Closed | Manufacturer | Model | Notes |
| Bumper Boats | 1970 | 1995 | | Bumper boats | |
| Kid Wash | 1980s | 1995 | | Splash pad | |
| Old Mill Scream | 1986 | 2014 | Arrow Dynamics | Log flume | Acquired from Petticoat Junction. |

### Former dry rides

| Name | Opened | Closed | Manufacturer | Model | Notes |
| Super Truck | 1994 | 2007 | SBF Visa Group | | 4x4 truck ride. Was located where Rockin' Tug is now. |
| Astro Wheel | 1981 | 1994 | Chance Manufacturing | Ferris wheel | Acquired from The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor. Sold to Amusements of Buffalo, and later Kissel Entertainment. |
| Balloon Race | 1985 | 1994 | Zamperla | | A bigger version of Up Up And Away. Sat where the Beanstalk currently sits today. Sold to The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor. |
| Bugs | 1972 | 2011 | Venture Manufacturing | | Sold to Martin's Shows. |
| Chaos | 1997 | 2007 | Chance Rides | prototype portable version #3 | |
| Cinderella's Midnight Magic Wheel | 2018 | 2019 | Sartori Rides | | Acquired from Indiana Beach. |
| Cinema 180 | 1961 | 2003 | | 3D cinema theater | Optical illusion film show |
| Crazy Bus | 1997 | 2013 | Zamperla | | Replaced by Rockin' Tug |
| DareDevil | 2001 | 2008 | Chance Rides | | |
| Devil's Hole | 1975 | 1994 | Chance Manufacturing | Rotor | |
| Devil's Hole | 2011 | 2019 | Wisdom Rides | Gravitron | Replaced Starship 2000. Located where Dragon Coaster was before that ride closed in 1986. |
| Enchanted Tea Party | 2014 | 2019 | Zamperla | Midi Tea Cups | Replaced Tea Cups. |
| Flight | 2008 | 2019 | Zamperla | Sky Flyer | Replaced DareDevil. |
| Flying Bobs | 1989 | 2003 | Chance Rides | | Acquired from Crystal Beach Park. Sold to an unknown location in Mexico. |
| Giant Slide | 1975 | 2018 | Whitehead Plastics | Slide | |
| Goosey Goosey Gander | 2011 | 2019 | Allan Herschell Company | | Formerly Blue Goose. |
| Jack and the Beanstalk | 2004 | 2015 | Moser's Rides | Spring ride. | Replaced Orient Express. |
| Mega Disk'o | 2009 | 2019 | Zamperla | | Replaced Patriot. |
| Mind Warp | 2011 | 2019 | Technical Park | Loop Fighter | Replaced Sizzler. |
| Nitro | 2003 | 2009 | Zamperla | | |
| Over The Falls | 2014 | 2014 | KMG | Speed | Replaced Old Mill Scream. Sold to a showman in England after only one season. |
| Paratrooper | 1975 | 1994 | Frank Hrubetz & Company | | Sold to Amusements of Buffalo, and later a travelling carnival in Michigan. |
| Patriot | 1989 | 2009 | ARM Rides (UK) | | |
| Rampage | 1979 | 1984 | Watkins | Trailer-mounted | |
| Rock & Roll Music Express | 2015 | 2019 | Bertazzon | | |
| Rockin' Tug | 2013 | 2019 | Zamperla | | Replaced Crazy Bus. Located where Super Truck was after it closed in 2008. |
| Rok O Plane | 1975 | 1998 | Eyerly Aircraft Company | | Acquired from Martin's Shows. |
| Sea Ray | 1995 | 2011 | Mulligan Engineering | | |
| Sizzler | 1989 | 2011 | Wisdom Rides | Scrambler | |
| Space Shuttle | 1961 | 1994 | Chance Manufacturing | Swinging ship ride | Sold to Amusements of Buffalo. |
| Space Whirl | 1963 | 1976 | Arrow Development | Tea cups | Acquired from Century 21 Exposition. |
| Starship 2000 | 2009 | 2011 | Wisdom Rides | | |
| Super Spiral | 1977 | 2002 | Hrubetz | This was a round up ride. | |
| Tea Cups | 1997 | 2014 | Zamperla | Mini tea cups | |
| Tilt & Shout | 2007 | 2019 | ARM Rides (USA) | | Formerly Full Tilt. |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | 1992 | 2019 | Sellner Manufacturing | Electric 7 Tilt-A-Whirl | |
| Trabant | 1961 | 1994 | Chance Manufacturing | | Sold to The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor where it is now a dining platform. |
| YoYo | 1961 | 1994 | Chance Manufacturing | Chair swing | Sold to Amusements of Buffalo, and later Quassy Amusement Park. |